Vegetables and fruit

Strawberries are the most popular summer fruits. They are tasty and easy to grow even in pots on the balcony or patio. Children find it fascinating to watch the white flowers slowly transforming into juicy red Strawberries.

Strawberries are the most popular summer fruits. They are tasty and easy to grow even in pots on the balcony or patio. Children find it fascinating to watch the white flowers slowly transforming into juicy red Strawberries.

Aniseed originally came from the Far East and was brought to Europe through the major trade routes. In the ancient world, the Egyptians used aniseed for numerous purposes and its use is even described in the Old Testament.

In India, basil is regarded as a sacred plant and is often found near temples. The Ancient Greeks and Romans associated it with disaster, poverty and hatred, whereas the Italians saw the herb as a symbol of love.

Who hasn't munched on these delicious, almost black fruits during a walk in the woods or along the hedgerows? However, while the prickly Bramble is not particularly suitable for the garden, thornless varieties like 'Thornless Evergreen' and 'Thornfree', which also produce extra large fruits, are perfect for almost any garden.

For thousands of years herbs have been grown for food, medicine, their aroma - and even to guard against evil! Able to provide indispensable cures for all kinds of ailments, they have always had a special place in gardening history.

Raspberries, those velvety pink fruits with an extraordinary aroma, are regarded by many as a delicacy of bygone days. If you can find them in the shops at all they are very pricey. So why not plant some shrubs in your own garden? You don't need a vegetable plot to grow them.

The latest thing in gardening is kitchen gardening, where you plant ornamental and edible plants together. Here you'll find some suggestions for combining the best looking, smelling and tasting garden.